Optimisation of foot care for people with arthritis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The optimisation of foot care for people with arthritis
IRAS ID
184429
Contact name
Catherine Bowen
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
CRD42015020278, PROSPERO Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
20 million people in the UK have some form of arthritis. Walking is encouraged for healthy lifestyles, however debilitating foot pain (linked with falling, tripping, weight gain and social isolation) may result in patients ‘walking through foot pain’ to manage problems such as arthritis or heart disease. Confusion exists over accessing foot-care services as there are no recommendations to show what foot care people with arthritis need. Some patients report that ‘doctors only refer people with diabetes’. As a result many people with arthritis don’t receive foot care which may inhibit a healthy and active lifestyle because they have trouble walking.
This study is Phase 2 of a 3-phase study. Phase 1 involved a systematic review to understand what recommendations for foot-care exist for people with arthritis and analysing data from the GP clinical-practice-research-datalink (CPRD) about foot-care referral patterns for people with arthritis.
Phase 2 (this 24 month project) follows on, exploring:
•“What are the perceptions of GPs, patients, podiatrists and commissioners of the barriers and facilitators to following guidelines for foot care for patients with arthritis?”In this study we will:
1. Telephone interview GPs about their podiatry referrals for people with arthritis.
2. Telephone interview CCG commissioners about their understanding of podiatry services for people with arthritis
3. Ask patients and podiatrists, in focus groups, about their experiences of foot-care services for people with arthritis.
4. Ask foot-care service managers, by online survey, what resources they currently provide for people with arthritis.The results from these two phases will be integrated to inform Phase 3, to develop and test a package of care for treatment of foot problems for people with arthritis.
The leading UK Professional Body, The College of Podiatry (COP) has provided £116K to cover significant aspects of Phase 1 & 2; a funding application has been submitted to NIHR to cover Phase 3.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0251
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion